Santa Ana\, CA<
/strong>— A touring exhibition commemorating the work of the iconic America
n illustrator and writer Maurice Sendak is scheduled to begin a national to
ur starting at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana\, California on February 16\,
2013. Sendak’s last illustrated book is scheduled to be released posthumou
sly on February 15\, 2013. Sendak died in Danbury\, Connecticut at age 83 i
n May of 2012.

\n

Maurice Sendak: 50 Years ● 50 Works ● 50 Reason
s - is a comprehensive memorial exhibition of 50 select works by the l
ate artist supplemented with accompanying comments by celebrities\, authors
and noted personalities – celebrating the 50th anniversary of the publishi
ng of the universally revered “Where the Wild Things Are”.

\n

The exh
ibition includes works in a variety of media and offers a survey of the hig
hlights of Sendak’s career and the diverse art forms in which he was renown
ed. From children’s literature to Broadway and the opera\, from animated fi
lm to young adult textbooks – Sendak remained an iconic American illustrato
r and author\, acclaimed around the world for his genius and insights.

\n

<
br />Among the fifty contributing commentators to the exhibition are playwr
ight and screenwriter Tony Kushner\, comedian Stephan Colbert\, artist Robe
rt Crumb\, Director Spike Jonze\, President Barack Obama\, New York Mayor M
ichael Bloomberg and actor Tom Hanks. Special note is given to Sendak’s tea
chers and commentary is also provided by his students from his teaching yea
rs in New York.

\n

The exhibition will tour select venues throughout
the United States in 2013\, and in addition to the display and commentaries
\, will offer lectures\, panel discussions\, film screenings and family eve
nts to coincide with the presentation.

\n

Works included in the exhib
ition were selected from private collectors\, friends of the artist and num
erous media sources – offering a survey of Sendak’s range as an artist and
author – and his influence on generations of readers and young adults. Phot
os\, sketches\, finished works in a variety of mediums and supplementary do
cumentary content offering insights into the artist’s biography and evoluti
on of content are part of this family-friendly presentation.